Examples of unconscious gender bias are everywhere these days. Companies, becoming sensitized to the negative business effects of bias, now routinely offer workshops on how to recognize unconscious bias in ourselves and others. The idea behind these classes is that people will extinguish their biases if they are just made aware of them. And yet they persist. This presentation will discuss recent studies showing there’s more work to do and will suggest strategies to use in social situations, at work as well as in community and volunteer roles.

As an executive coach and leadership consultant, Linda Thompson draws on 20+ years of experience as a corporate vice president and director of human resources responsible for multiple areas of talent management and leadership/organizational development. In her consulting practice, L2T Leadership Development, Linda gives her clients the feedback they need to increase their effectiveness, leverage their strengths, and build self-awareness in how their behavior impacts others. She excels at helping high-potential leaders create new possibilities to achieve breakthroughs in their goals, relationships, and team dynamics.

Linda holds a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College. She completed the Human Resource Executive Program at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business as well as the OD/HR Management program at Columbia University. Her article, Coaching Quicksand: Avoiding Hidden Dangers that Trap the Best of Us, was published in the International Journal of Coaching in Organizations. In addition to her educational and business experience, Linda is a recipient of the YWCA Tribute to Women and Industry Award, which recognizes women leaders who represent leadership role models for others. She has been a mentor for the WOMEN Unlimited LEAD program since 1996, and a coach for the Global Women’s Leadership Network, which provides coaching to women leaders all over the world.